Postgraduate Research Experience Survey: PRES
For postgraduate research students across the world.
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Newcastle University is scheduled to participate in the next Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) in 2027
Newcastle University participates in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) every two years rather than annually to align with sector-wide practices coordinated by Advance HE, which facilitates meaningful benchmarking across UK institutions. A biennial cycle allows sufficient time to analyse feedback, implement improvements, and assess their impact before the next survey. It also helps reduce survey fatigue among postgraduate researchers, encouraging higher engagement and more thoughtful responses.
Why participate in PRES?
Provides national, institutional and subject/discipline benchmarking
Data from the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) allows you to compare your institution’s postgraduate provision against others in the sector at a national, institution and discipline level. This information can be used to identify areas of strength, as well as to address how teaching may be changed to improve student outcomes and the appeal of programmes to prospective students.
We have designed and tested the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) in conjunction with experts from across the higher education sector.
PRES allows you to:
- gain valuable data to inform enhancements to the experience of postgraduate researchers
- benchmark your provision against others, while your results remain confidential
What does the survey ask students about?
PRES has been developed in consultation with the sector and has been robustly tested across many disciplines, in several institutions and with students to ensure it produces valid results.
The survey focuses on students’ experiences of:
- supervision
- resources
- research community
- progress and assessment
- skills and professional development
- wellbeing
It also considers students’ motivations for taking their programme.
PRES results can be used to benchmark your institution’s postgraduate provision against others in the global higher education sector. Results can be broken down by discipline, gender, mode of study and domicile, helping you target enhancement where it is most needed. The results can be used to inform sector bodies and policymakers about the experience students can expect.
Results
Results will be shared after Advance HE have completed their analysis which is usually August/September.
How Results Are Shared
- Results are shared with senior leaders for strategic review. Data is presented in detailed reports, including comparisons to sector benchmarks and the reports are made available through the Strategic Insights Portal and is placed in the School Shared Access folders.
Communication with Students
- Results directly with current students through newsletters, presentations, or feedback events.
Free text comments
- Student comments are added to School Access folders.
Education Policy and Governance Service (EPGS) will contact School Leadership Teams in advance of the results.